Review of Deutschland 83

Deutschland is a German-American television series about a 24-year-old native of East Germany who is captured and sent to West Germany as an undercover spy for the HVA, which is the foreign intelligence agency of the Stasi.

This TV series is similar to many shows and movies of the historical-war period dramas. An example of this is the German TV-series called The Same Sky, which also focuses on similar elements to Deutschland 83, as the Berlin Wall is of particular interest in both. A similarity is that there are elements of romance in both. Martins fiancée back in East Germany is Annett, who Martin clearly has lots of affection for, while in The Same Sky, there is a storyline where an East German agent on assignment seduces a woman on the other side of the wall.

Deutschland 83 is also based on real-life events such as all the events that took place in Germany, and the events regarding the Berlin wall. But on the other hand, this show romanticises some of its story detail, for example, they romanticise the West side of Germany, how it seemed more liberal than the East, and in reality, we don't really know if it's true, only the people who lived in either of those regions at the time could know the answer. However, the characters in this show Germany in the 1980s may not be actual characters but may represent the German people on both sides and what they went through. 

There is also a range of camera shots and angles that concentrate on main characters and this allows viewers to see the facial expressions and body language of individuals, especially using close up. This makes the audience more aware of how the characters felt. In addition, there are examples of how camera about how camera shots and angles can make individuals look more superior & inferior and masculine & feminine. Key examples are when Martins aunt is seen from a low angle, which makes her seem superior, while Martin is shown at a high angle, making him look inferior. This is usually the other way around, as the historical context of the time may have had a male in a superior and masculine light compared to inferior and weak females, which may be traditionally shown in the media.

To conclude, Deutschland 83 takes into account lots of key events in the history of Germany such as events surround the Berlin wall and its eventual collapse. However, this series may be biased as West Germany is more romanticised than East Germany. But this series s really interesting and its certainly for those who have interests in drama and history.